The technophobia that began in the 1980s around robotics and high-tech warfare hasn’t been warranted by the developments to date, according to Joshua Foust. More hype than real concern for the implications of technology on war, Foust recommends the techno-alarmists redirect their efforts toward small arms control. (Of course, we all know who would beg to differ with Foust, at least with respect to technology’s innocuousness.) In case you need a comparative reference on national small arms control policy, check out this backgrounder. Or read the March 2016 Small Arms Survey report on the mechanics of small arms trafficking from the United States, where traffickers are identified shipping weapons, parts, ammunition, and accessories to at least 46 countries and foreign territories on six continents.

ABOUT US

Barbara F. Walter is a political scientist at the University of California, San Diego. Erica Chenoweth is a political scientist at the University of Denver. Joe Young is a political scientist at American University. Together, they edit this blog to provide simple, straight-forward analysis of political violence around the world.